Matteo Brandimarti, from San Benedetto del Tronto in the Marche region, was enjoying a family holiday with his parents and other relatives when tragedy struck.

15:59, Fri, Apr 10, 2026 Updated: 16:04, Fri, Apr 10, 2026

Matteo

12-year-old Matteo Brandmarti, pictured when younger, died on Thursday (Image: Facebook)

A 12-year-old boy has tragically lost his life after his leg became trapped in a hot tub filter at a hotel spa in Italy during the Easter weekend. The devastating incident took place on Easter Sunday, April 5, at the Duca di Montefeltro Hotel in Pennabilli, a picturesque town near Rimini in the Emilia-Romagna region.

Matteo Brandimarti, from San Benedetto del Tronto in the Marche region, was enjoying a family holiday with his parents, Maurizio and Nicoletta, and other relatives when the accident occurred in the hotel's wellness area. According to reports from local Italian media, including Il Resto del Carlino and ANSA, the family had gathered in the spa to relax in the hydromassage tub shortly after 10.30am. While the jets were running, Matteo's leg was suddenly pulled into a powerful suction nozzle.

He became stuck underwater for nearly five minutes in the roughly one-metre-deep pool before hotel staff could intervene.

Staff acted quickly, cutting the main power supply and shutting down the pump to free the boy. Emergency services arrived promptly and performed CPR on site after finding him in critical condition.

They successfully restarted his heart, but the prolonged lack of oxygen had already caused severe damage. An emergency medical helicopter rushed him to the Infermi Hospital in Rimini, where he was placed on life support in intensive care.

For several days, doctors fought to save him, but on April 9, Matteo was declared brain dead due to hypoxic damage from the extended submersion. Life support was withdrawn shortly afterwards, local outlets reported.

Matteo

A 12 year-old boy has died after being sucked into a jacuzzi filter at a hotel in Italy (Image: booking.com)

The family's lawyer, Umberto Gramenzi, confirmed that Matteo's parents have given consent for organ donation, allowing his organs to help others in a final act of generosity amid their grief. An autopsy is expected once the Prosecutor's Office in Rimini authorises it, to establish the precise medical cause of death.

Italian authorities have launched a formal investigation into the tragedy, initially opened for serious injury and now likely to be upgraded to involuntary manslaughter (omicidio colposo).

No suspects have been named so far. The spa area, including the hot tub, was immediately sealed off by carabinieri and has remained closed for several days while experts examine the equipment.

Spresal — the local workplace safety and prevention service run by the health authority — has provided a technical report focusing on the design of the nozzles, vents, and protective grilles. Investigators are checking whether safety features met required standards and if any irregularities contributed to the powerful suction that trapped the child.

Tributes have poured in for Matteo, described as a "beautiful sweet soul." His father shared a photo of the boy on social media, where friends and well-wishers left heartfelt messages of condolence, such as "May God hold you in his arms and always protect your parents" and expressions of shared sorrow over the "unjust" pain.

This heartbreaking case has prompted renewed attention to safety standards in hotel spas and hot tubs across Italy. While such incidents remain rare, the powerful pumps used in hydromassage systems can create dangerous suction if grilles or covers are inadequate or missing.

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Matteo's family now faces the unimaginable task of saying goodbye while hoping that his legacy of kindness lives on through the lives saved by his donated organs.

The full findings of the ongoing inquiry are awaited with interest by local communities in both Pennabilli and San Benedetto del Tronto.